Sympathy for the devil

Invader plants are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide - nevertheless, many people feel 'sorry' for all the plants that get destroyed. Killing is never pleasant, but we must be pragmatic: Do we really want monocltures of bluegums and Lantana instead of our own flora?
I even read a letter to the press where a lady was accusing botanists of 'selfishness'. Amazing how emotional the debate, which should be scientific, becomes!

Toxic treasures in the picture at left (Nephrolepis and Lantana).